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NEHS CONFERENCE .
GOVERNOR FARRIS BRYANT
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
NOVEMBER 15, 1Q62'
NERSMEN PARTICIPATING: Robert Dezey, ORLANDO SENTINEL STAR:
Barbara Frye, JNIIBD PRESS INPERNATZ ; Tom Gay. wcrv; David
Grctooh, CAPITAL NEWS BUREAU: Ken Krato, ourran PRESS INPERNATIONAL;
Ovid Lewis, WINE, WNVY, WLGX; Jerry Mock, JOHN H. FERRY PAPERS;
Allen Morris, CRACKER POLITICS; Frank Pepper, WCTV; Steve Prentice,
FLORIDA BROADCAST NENS; Elll Ragsdale, FLORIDA BROADCAST NEWS; Tom
Rakes, INELDE POLITIS ; Ben Silvers, WCRT; Don Smith, WRFB; Doug
Starr, ASSOCIAIED PRESS; Ray Starr, WRPB; Bill Sweisgood, JACKSONVILLE
JOURNAL; George Thurston. WJXT,WFLA; Bill wstkins, WOTV; Tom
Vineiguerra, FORT LAUDERDRLE NEWS.
GOVERNOR: Good afternoon, gentlemen.
NALDRON: Good afternoon.
GOVERNOR: Are you poised?
NALDRON: Waiting with baited breath.
GOVERNOR: You are looking for the answer, aren't you?
wALDRON: Yes, sir. Are you?
GOVERNOR: I want you to be the first to know -- and to tell me.
(laughter)
STARR: Governor, do you have any comment on hr. Swann's statements
in Miami of yesterday that the Legislature was stalling?
GOVERNOR: Well, I would certainly disagree with his overall
assessment. I think certainly there are members or the Legislature
who are stalling, but in a body as large as this it would be
difficult for that not to be true. I am sure that there are some who
want to do nothing and, therefore, are stalling. But I don't think
that characterizes the Legislature at all.
MORRIS: Governor, would any useful purpose be served by the
Legislature remaining in session beyond tomorrow?
GOVERNOR: Well, that would depend. They can pass a statute, or
course, to accomplish whatever purposes they have in mind after
tomorrow. Yes.
SILVER: In a statement yesterday you said that you didn't like
the idea or the passing of a statute. However, subsequently you
have been quoted as saying that you would veto a statute. will you?
GOVERNOR: I haven't made that statement. I think the statement I
made speaks for itself. The reason I made it no more definitive
than I did was because I have a built-in resistance to concrete
commitments before the situation arises. I issued that statement
yesterday for the reason that people were saying somewhat loosely
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GOVERROR: Hell. it's so fresh, I don't even know what they have
tied on to the 36-sehator plan. That calla for.e lot more analysis.
I think it is a novel and fresh approach to the problem which has
a lot to recommend it in equity, but I have not really o I don't
know uhct they are propoaina for the house aide in the first place.
and I haven't really tried to generate my own conclusion on it. I
am anxious for them to continue.comins up with something that we
can live with.
PEPFER: In the event this session lasts over into next week.
Governor Bryant, do you see any possibility. assuming that you will
be asked. of course. I believe that the procedure. would you
consider appearing again before e general session?
GOVEROB: no, not unless I had something to say that was helpful.
PEPPER: What if it came down, uhat if they threw out too? Would
you appear then?
OOVBOR: I don't think a formal address to the Legislature in
called for. I am meeting with legislators so frequently as I can
now.
PRYE: We understood you were keeping in close touch. (laughter)
OOVBRROR: That's the underetctement or the year. (laughter)
But I don't think a formal statement from the_podium has any real
effect.
PEPPER: I Just wondered 1: it came down to two. if they gave you
back too. would you--of course you would have to he invited I
asaumc--uould you so before them and champion one
GOVEROR: I wish I had the privilege or the well or the house.
sometime.
DELANEY: You aren't using any big sticko or rubber hoses, are you?
GOVERhOR: No. sir.
SILVER: Representative Carey Matthews oayo hes convinced that no
matter what the Legislature does here. this thing will wind up in
the Supreme Court
GOVERNOR: I think that'a probably true. I think that anything
that is pasaed will be tested to the limit or our Judicial capacity.
And that if nothing in passed and aomething is impooed by the
Federal Court, that will be tested. I would aceume that would be
true-
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SWEISOOOD: Not to put you on the opot. Governor. and this in not
a reopportlonnent queetion~o
GOVERNOR: I certainly wouldnt want you to do that. (laughter)
SHEISGOOD: Rho ere yen scing to root for in the Florida-930 game?
GOVERROR: Well. I am confident that my team is going to win.
(laughter)
SHEIBOOOD: which one is that. Governor?
FREE: Are you going to move from side to side?
oovannon: l on for the test team. I haVc a daughter there}::g)a
wife who will have some rather vocal vieuu, I am afraid, but then
I have two smaller daughters who seem to favor the other aide. so
we may be pretty well balanced.
RRXE: You can root for Harvard.
OOVERROR: I haven't had much to root about lately.
R. STARR: novernor, it e doublebarrelled plnn did come up before
the people. what would your stand to? Rould you get out and root
for one agoinat the other?
GOVERHOR: It'o no for down the road.I wouldn't know. I an euro
that I would. Yes. I think that I would. I am sure that I would.
R. STARR: In other words the telephoning and everything that you
mentioned previously would go into the plan it you supported it?
GOVERNOR: I on sure unleee they were no clone that the difference
to be negligible. but I assume that they would be sufficiently
different for me to decide that one. in my opinion. was better
than the other. In which case I ubuld take my otend.
RAKER: Governor. I new someplace where o remark not made by an
editorial writer to the effect that if you had two plane and that
the public didn't care for either one of them. they would in effect
be voting for one ogolno the other by staying home. and there
has a proposal that they would be able to coat a vote against both.
GOVERNOR: I think there would have to be an opportunity for them
to vote against both. I don't think you could reotrict the people
to e choice between two. without giving them c chance to any, "I
dont want either one of them,"
RAKER: Then actually you have three choices?
GOVERNOR: Correct.
RAKER: Three positive choices?
common: correct.
BAKER: For one or three things?
GOVERNOR: Just as you have two choices now. you can vote for it
or you can vote against it. at present.
LEWIS: You couldn't vote for both or them. could you?
GOVERNOR: Hell, somebody new reminding me that in the wet-dry
election you could vote no". and than it there is e decision as
to whether you went package or her. you can still vote on one of
those. Now I don't remember ever voting in a wet-dry election,
but is that true?
RAKER: It was true-here.
GOVERNOR: well. there you go.
BAKER: You don't compare this to a wet-dry election though. do
you?
GOVEHOR: I am on the dry aide.
SEVERL: Thank you. Governor.
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that: "well, we won't pass an amendment this week, and next week.
even thongh he doesn't want a statute, he will let it go." I want
to cut or? that speculation, and it was for that purpose that the
statement was issued.
DBLANEY: Would.you eay. Governor, that it was bad speculation if
we were to speculate that you might veto a ctatute?
GOVERNOR: I speculate that would be all right. (laughter)
MOOK: Did you make such a statement in Sundays meeting here with
the legislators?
GOVERNOR: I spoke fairly categorically Sunday, yea.
HOOK: About vetoing a ~-
OOVERNOR: Yes. In a closed meeting of legielatore I spoke fairly
categorically about that matter. I dont like to be in a position
ever or doing anything that can or will be oonctrued by legislatora
or threatening. My reluctance to speak is based largely upon that.
For me to come out and say, "I'll do so and co." implies a threat
which I don't wish to make. I don't. on the other hand. want people
to misunderstand my position and. by reason or that misunderstanding.
to be led into error.
SVEIBOOOD: Governor. in it possible that by shortening campaign time
for these new seatc that the Legiclaturc could so into next week?
GOVERNOR: Yes, it in. A8 I said, that election period can be compacted,
and in that sense it is mechanically possible to do it in lesser time.
SHEISOOOD: how do you feel about that procedure?
GOVERNOR: Well, let's say we end up with 18 representatives in Dade
county. Eyen in two primaries in May and one in hovember there would
be come difficulty in the public informing themselves about the
Qualities of all those gentlemen and their opponents. That would be
multiplied in a short period of time and, therefore. I would certainly
be extremely reluctant to reduce the time for campaigning any beyond
that indicated by the early edJournment.
SKEISGOOD: But this means, though, that Friday is not an absolute
deadline?
GOVERNOR: Ho, legally it is not in that sense. I think that it can
he compacted into leaner time.
DELANEY: Govnrnor, there has been come talk that you might
automatically adjourn the Legislature by using the executive power
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which says that 1: there is disagreement on time for sdJournnent
that the chief executive may adjourn the session.' Would you do this
tomorrow if they had not reached a saluticn on s constitutional
amendment?
GOVERNOR: Well, there has been no predicate laid.
DELAKEY: If one were laid. would you consider that course of action?
GOVERNOR: I would consider it.
DELAHEY: Well. do you think that would be automatically placing the
reapportionnent with.the Funeral Court?
GOVERNOR: I would conceiVe that either one or two things would happen:
Thst tho court would reeppcrtion the Legislature or that it would
charge the regular session todc so under such penslties as it might
construct.
PHYS: Governor, I was late and maybe you hate ensuered this: Are
you saying that as for as you src concerned tomorrow is the absolute
deadline. although legally more time would be alldhtd?
GOVERNOR: so. I on not the Legiclcture and don't pretend to be.
The Legislature can meet next week and pass constitutional amendments
or proposals it it desires to do so. I cm suggesting that by doing
so they are reducing the time for consideration by the public to such
a degree that the holding or intelligent elections becomes, in
my Judgment. difficult if not impossible.
MORRIS: Governor. dons the so-oelled executive power section apply
to legislstive apportionment sessions which, under the constitution.
cannot be ended until the Legislature npportionso
GOVERHOR: This is not such a session.
MORRIS: This is a different type of session?
OOVEnOR: This was not called under that provision of the Constitution.
It was called under the section which restricts them to a 20-day
session.
DELAREY: When you say that a predicate is not laid. Govnrnor. by this
do you mean that it would be necessary for one house or the other to
adopt a motion to adjourn?
GOVERNOR: They would have to he in disagreement.
DBLAHEY: Hell. would it specifically be necessary for one house or
the other to make an effort to adjourn?
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OOVERNOR: I would think so. If they both want to stay here, there
is no disagreements
DELANEY: Even though they might be completely at odds on a
constitutional amendment on reapportionment?
GOVERNOR: That is not the predicate.
DELANEY: I see.
GOVERNOR: The predicate is, as I remember it and I haven't looked
at it since 1955, (laughter) and didn't take long to look at it then,
(laughter) is disagreement between the houses as to time of adjournment.
Mr. Silver.
SILVER: Governor, you supposedly told big county lawmakers that if
they could agree on a plan that was realistic that you would fight
for that plan. Now, they have come up with a plan. Do you think
that that plan is realistic and will you fight for that plan?
GOVERNOR: You have stated my position more categorically than I
stated it to them. They have come up with a plan. It has not been
by a three-fourths vote or their group, as I hoped that it would be,
but I think it is a real stride in the right direction and I have
encouraged them and am doing what I can to assist their proposal to
secure a fair consideration on the floor of the House. I hope that
can be done. I do want to say, though, that my original motivation
in calling the legislators from the dissident, or large counties,
together was to try to breed unanimity among them, because obviously
when you are faced with a necessity of a three-fourths vote, unless
you can get an almost unanimous approach or the injured parties it is
going to be difficult to get the others to agree by any substantial
margin. I think that when this group came to a 14~9 approval or a
plan, that this is real progress. Obviously, in to 9 is not three-
rourths, but it is doing better, and I want to help them as they try
to do better.
PEPPER: Governor-Bryant. you are certainly well aware or these
factions down below there. Do you really expect to reach some
agreementdown there by today?
GOVERNOR: Hell. having been in the Legislature myself a long time
the only thing I am sure of is that it never goes according to plan.
One man can change his mind and speak to his neighbor and the thing
can begin to sweep. Right now they are focusing on a 67-senator
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amendment among the small groups. Well, they may take a vote and
find they can't do that, or maybe somebody says: "I have tried long
enough," and.he swings his vote and changes his opinion. The thing
can roll. I do think this Parkinson law applies to the Legislature.
I am talking about that axiom of Parkinson law which provides that the
amount of Job time required to do a task in government is the amount
of time available to do it. And, therefore, by restricting the time
available, I think you expedite action.
HALDRON: Do you have thoughts on the merits of the h-senator plan
passed by the Senate today?
GOVERNOR: I think it is an improvement over what was offered last
time to the peOple and, therefore, I like it. I like anything that
improves what we had before.
SVBISGOOD: Can you see anything different that can be done by the
people who favor any plan that comes out of the Legislature in order
to put it over?
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir. I must take some responsibility for the failure
of the people to avoid this, because, while I spoke for it and made
a few speeches and things of that kind, it should have been organized.
I was misled by the fact that, as I believed, most of the people did
approve that plan, but I did not take into calculation the fact that
in the two-party counties the people were going out to vote and in
the other counties they weren't going out to vote. And so this deluced
me and, besides, I've been in so many battles that I was enJoying the
respite for a while and to that degree did not make the effort I
should have. If another proposal gets on the ballot, better than the
one that was offered before, I want to see to it that we organize
county by county, telephone by telephone, to get the people out to
vote. I am confident I say I am confident I am not as confident
as I was before, but I am still persuaded that if we do this a
proposal can be passed. It must be better than we had before.
DELANEY: Governor, some of the smaller oounties' legislators have
been critical of you during the past week for calling this session
to convene last Friday instead of Monday. Would you care to comment
on that?
GOVERNOR: 0n the decision or the criticism?
DELANEY: On the criticism based on a feeling that a weekend was wasted.
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GOVERNOR: I don't think it was. Even calling them on Friday and
getting them organized and focusing their attention at that early
date on the problem, you would still have trouble making it by what
I conceive to be the deadline. It may be that we could have some up
Monday and organised and done it by Friday, but I think that the
time is minimal at best.
FRYE: Well, you are not saying then that it is impossible to some
out with a constitutional amendment plan after Friday?
GOVERNOR: No, ma'am.
FRYE: You are Just saying that it is difficult if not impossible?
GOVERNOR: That is correct. I have mentioned to you on several
occasions in these conferences that the election time can be
compacted and, if this is done, then it gives you more time for your
90 days to run.
FRYE: But if you have the 182 House members almost to run, it would
make it more difficult. The more people you have to elect the more
difficult it would be?
GOVERNOR: I would think so. For instance, suppose -- I don't know
what this large county group, the Woodie Liles group introduced this
morning -- but assuming that they introduced #6 with In o that's
19 House members for Dede and 6 senators and that means that is 2
people and if 3 people run for each Job that is 72, it would take
a few days for that many people to make up their minds to run. And
it would take longer for the people to become acquainted with them.
swsxscoon: Governor, would you favor adjournment rather which
course -~ I have two propositions here ~-
GOVERNOR: Let no answer them both. I favor going ahead and doing
the Job today or tomorrow. We will meet the other one when it comes.
SWEISGOOD: Here is what I wondered: is there not a possibility that
they could meet next week and put a provision in there that these
legislators will be elected for the 1965 Legislature?
GOVERNOR: That is conceivable.
SWEISOOOD: Do you think the courts would stand still for that?
GOVERNOR: I don't know. Now, this is something that I have never
really considered. There is nothing in the court opinion that I
can think of either to say yea or nay.
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DELANEY: Governor, what problems, if any would arise should the
Legislature find they can't adopt a constitutional amendment by
tomorrow. but find, say next week. that they can and decide then
to call the regular 1963 session at a later data than the planned
date or the first part or April?
GOVERNOR: Well. it would take a constitutional amendment to change
the date of calling the session, or course.
DBLANEY: Well, should they agree on this course or action, what
other problems would there be in having the Legislature convene
on this particular year, say, the end or April or even the first
part of May?
GOVERNOR: or course the fiscal problem is one. Our fiscal year
runs out June 30th. It's normally very helpful to have the
appropriations bill completed by June 1, so thatzplans can be made.
Other than that, the usual pressures for changes in statutes are
the only ones of which I think at the moment, although I am sure
that research would unearth more.
FREE: Governor, what would be your course ofactlon if the
Legislature should pass a resolution that was introduced in the
Senate today, that asked the Federal Court to withhold its Judgment
and let this matter go over to April 1963?
GOVERNOR: Resolutions don't come to the governor for approval or
disapproval.
FRYE: I mean you could call the Legislature hack into session
again, couldn't you, if they adJourned?
GOVERNOR: Yea.
FRYE: I Just wondered. that would not meet your idea of settling
reapportionment?
GOVERNOR: No, it really wouldn't. I think I can make that
commitment.
FRYE: You do not at this time know that you would do. I guess. if
they did that. is that what you are saying?
GOVERNOR: I would probably do nothing -- I mean this is a new
thought for me. but I don't really know what I could do. I called
them this time because I felt that I had to. But the same reasoning.
I think would not apply 1: they adjourned and went home.
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D. STARR: Governor, do you have to sign the measures that come
out to reapportion?
GOVERNOR: Not the constitutional proposals. only statutory
enactments. Of course, I don't have to sign them, they can become
a law without signature, or they can be vetoed.
D. STARR: But there is no provision for you to sign the amendment?
GOVERNOR: Resolutions are not submitted to the governor.
LEWIS: Have you considered extending your call for any other
purpose besides reapportionment, Governor?
GOVERNOR: Yes. My consideration has been directed both to the
problem of amending the turnpike law to authorize the Turnpike to
consider the construction or a Turnpike from McCoy Air Force Base
to Canaveral. And by the citrus groups, The Citrus Commission, and
Citrus Mutual, to amending the Citrus Code so as to provide for
the establishment of a Quality Advisory Committee. Neither of
those has been cemented yet.
DELANEY: Governor. did Mr. Barnes ever make a formal request on
that turnpike, or did he decide to uithdrsw it?
GOVERNOR: No. No request has been made relative to the Turnpike.
or course, Mr. Barnes is not in a position to ask that. It has
to be really by some member or the Legislature because they have
got to carry the ball.
DELANEY: Well, I read in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday morning
that they were not going to make that request.
GOVERNOR: That's my understanding.
DELANEY: I Just wanted to be sure.
GOVERNOR: Yes, sir. Now that is in the case of the turnpike. In
the case of the citrus proposals, I believe their request is going
to be made.
RRKER: would you hold the Legislature over for a little longer
time? Is it your thinking non you would go along nth the citrus
request?
GOVERNOR: I wouldn't hold them over. I don't think there is any
occasion for that.
FRYE: Are you hopeful of settling it now?
GOVERNOR: Yes, ma'am. I think we are making progress today.
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PRYE: Do you feel that this h6.senator plan is one that you
could go out and actively support and recommend to the people for...
GOVERNOR: If you have a good House plan with it. I would like to
have a better House plan than before.
FRYE: What is your very maximum one?
GOVERNOR: I don't have a maximum, I only have minimums. My
minimum is still what it was: u5-1nu. Now the #6 which gives 2
to Dede is better than the h5 that I proposed. There are others,
of course, that would be better than that. I would support the
present proposed DG, at least until a better one came along, and
I had something better to support. I think the House ought to
be put on a little bit better basis.
FRYE: The bs-lhh is the very least you feel you could get out
and actively support?
GOVERNOR: It really is. I think that the public has expressed
the opinion that they want something better than they had before,
and we have the Job of solidifying that something better into a
concrete plan.
SILVER: What is the best plan you have heard about since this
session started?
GOVERNOR: Well, are you talking in the field of theory or in the
field of possibility?
SILVER: As far as what the voters would accept?
GOVERNOR: I think k6-lhh would be acceptable.
THURSTON: Disregarding its chances in the Legislature, what do
you think of the 36-member Senate?
GOVERNOR: I think its got some real merit. I think you have a
lot to recommend it.
D. STARR: Do you still favor two plans or proposals?
GOVERNOR: If the small county group can come up far enough to
attract the support of the large county group, as I said in my
message, I prefer the single plan. If we can't get a single plan
then I'd be willing and would want to try a double barrelled
approach.
FRYE: Governor, with a 36 Senator plan, you would take less in
the House?
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I-.j!!' I ..l tis s ......y. rh watt sa hr h Is r. .l ....I. .r.tI DFI EY Evn bo h he r~rh ar e rltel a ordar~ t -1 M.-t ~ ~ ~ th 1-u1r-2a -11rt r nipoterrn
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a-ienrJment ailleng the small find they can't do that, er.eugh," ad he swings hi can roll. I do think thi J am talking about that a amount of .jo'e time rewir rf tilne aVSilable CD do i available, I thira you ex dn a task irt gr-vernment is the amou 3d, thepeCOre, by Peatrictirg; thP ti 2 action. on th., merits er the 46-sen.tar ple orovernent e.ver' what was oCPered hat we. I liise it. I 115-.2 anything ths
PAGE 9
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...... .... ..ln h esin fcu :E T "e-,sol hyI"ge o '.. ..ole....tlr b r hvn
PAGE 11
D. StARR: Governor, de you have to sign the measures tha out to reapportion? 00VEDU08: Not the coratitutional proposals, on]y statuto enactmerta. Of course, I don't have to sign them, they a a law without signature, or they can be vetoed. D. STARR; But there is no provision for you to sign the GOVERNDE: Resolutions are not submitted to the governor. LEWI3: Have you considered axtending your call for any o purpose besides reapportionment, Governor? 007:3RNOR: Yes. My conalderation has been directed both pro-clea, of amend10s the turnpike law to authorize the Tur -tocalder the construction of a rurnpike from McCoy Sir Fo
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F.E D. y. .e th. ...... y -1 1 PP Pt pple P 30V3RNOB: If the small 4 t 7.:Met t:he Dupport of i. re-Jeuge. I prefer the si than I'd be willtna and
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